growing orchids in apartment

A moist, humid environment is necessary for orchids to grow well. However, they also enjoy good air circulation. But if your balcony or growing area is exposed to too much wind, the orchid plants may suffer from drought. To help reduce the rate of water evaporation, grow orchids in impermeable plastic pots.

Where is the best place to keep an orchid indoors?

An ideal place for the orchid to live is in a room that stays at a consistent temperature through the day, away from drafts, fruit and where it can receive indirect sunlight.

Do indoor orchids need direct sunlight?

These plants thrive in strong light, but direct sunlight can burn orchids. Bright, indirect light from an eastern or southern window is ideal. Leaf color is a good indicator of the amount of light an orchid is getting: Bright green leaves indicate a happy, healthy plant.

How do you get an orchid to bloom indoors?

So put your orchid in a room that gets a little cold by the window—and put your orchid in the window. When the sun goes down, the heat will drop and the cold will stimulate it to re-bloom.

Do orchids do well indoors?

Most orchids best suited for growing indoors are in the intermediate group (see sidebar). Night temperatures for warm-growing orchids should not be lower than 65°, and daytime winter temperatures can range from 75° to 85°. ... Most orchids flourish under bright, indirect light.

Should orchids be watered from the top or bottom?

To master watering orchids, it is essential to water from above with fresh, pure water. For orchids with water storage, pseudobulbs, water when the potting mix is approaching dry. Otherwise, for orchids without water storage, without pseudobulbs, keep the potting mix barely damp.

Do orchids do well in bathrooms?

Since a bathroom environment is naturally warm and humid thanks to steamy showers, and most bathroom windows don't let in much direct sunlight, your bathroom is actually the perfect place for your orchids to thrive.

Do orchids need to be repotted?

Orchids generally need to be repotted once a year. The best time to repot is just after flowering, or when new growth appears. You'll know it's time to repot if any of these reasons apply to you: Your orchid has tightly tangled roots.

Do orchids like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer, especially for orchids and African violets.

How often should you water an orchid?

While each growing environment is unique, and watering habits vary from person to person, it is generally a good idea to water about once per 7-10 days, when the mix gets dry. Too much watering leads to root rot, crown rot and other over watering problems like fungus gnat infestations.

How do I get my orchid to flower?

Here are three easy steps to make your orchid rebloom:

Once your orchid enters the dormancy phase and stops blooming, begin fertilizing it. Most orchids will need a balanced houseplant fertilizer (20-20-20). This should be done monthly or weekly depending on the type of orchid that you have.

What to do with an orchid after the flowers fall off?

After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.

What time of year do orchids bloom?

Most orchids grow during the summer and bloom in the fall, winter or spring. Knowing the season that an orchid blooms helps alleviate the frustration of feeling like "It's July, why isn't my Phalaenopsis in bloom again now?".

How long do indoor orchids live?

With good care and regular maintenance, an orchid plant may live for a lifetime — 100 years, or more.

How often do indoor orchids bloom?

Most orchids bloom once a year, but if they are really happy, they may bloom more often. If you want an orchid that blooms during a particular season, the best bet is to purchase a plant that is in bloom at that time. When an orchid does flower it usually remains in bloom for six to ten weeks.

Do you cut off dead orchid stems?

Dead orchid stems are unhealthy for your plants. They should be cut off so that you can encourage new growth and trigger reblooming. If you cut off the orchid's stems and they grow right back, they may produce beautiful flowers. Also, your plant will look healthy and vibrant and not pale and sick.

Do orchids like to be misted?

Misting gives the orchid more humidity but does not create a soggy root environment. It is best to put your orchid where it will receive medium indirect sunlight. ... To ensure bright blooms and a healthy plant, use a potting mixture and a fertilizer that is specifically designed for orchids.

How do I know if I overwatered my orchid?

What are the signs of an overwatered orchid? Pleated, soft, yellow leaves are a sign of overwatering. Your orchid may also suffer bud blast (all of the buds fall off before they open). When examined out of the pot, orchid roots may be soggy, mushy and black.

Is tap water OK for orchids?

Orchids are a wildly popular flowering plant, belonging to the Orchidaceae family. ... Most chlorinated tap water can be used as long as the chlorine isn't excessive; however, watering orchids with collected rain or distilled water from the store is best.

How do you not kill an orchid?

8 Ways to Kill Your Orchid

Water it every day. ...
Establish a watering schedule for your orchid. ...
Water your orchid whenever you water your other plants. ...
Water your Phalaenopsis orchid with ice cubes. ...
Find out where your orchid is native to and water it when the Weather Channel says it's raining there.

Do orchids like full sun?

1. Exposure to too much sunlight. It is well known that orchids are shade loving plants and you shouldn't let them be exposed to too much sunlight. The harm to an orchid is huge when exposed directly under the fierce sunshine in hot summer.

Are Succulents good in bathrooms?

The answer is yes. Succulents can survive in bathrooms, living rooms, and windowsills. Bathrooms are usually humid. It is enough for the succulents to thrive.